Boards Tools of an RGC workshop

12:30–2:00 Lunch 2:00–3:30 Grammar session 3:30–3:45 Tea 3:45–5:00 Grammar session

3.1.2 Merging phonology with dictionary construction

One of the most important uses of a dictionary by language development teams is to regulate consistent spelling. Each new literacy and Scripture book drafted can be checked for spelling in comparison with the entries of the dictionary, assuming the dictionary entries have been spelled correctly. In the RGC workshop, the sounds of words are thoroughly investigated in comparison and contrast with the sounds of other words. After the workshop, only those words that have been confirmed to have correct spelling are entered into the dictionary. In this way, the dictionary is a tool that can be trusted for standardizing the writing of the language. For examples, see the list of beginning dictionaries produced from RGC workshops, given in appendix A.

3.1.3 Merging morphophonology with syntax

It is possible to analyze the sound changes of most morphemes in a language, and still not be able to recognize certain morphemes in a given text. In some languages, the underlying segments of certain morphemes can be more or less deciphered correctly from merely observing the morphemes in their natural context of discourse. But in other languages, certain morphemes have such diverse allomorphs because of numerous assimilation processes that they are unrecognizable as belonging to the same morpheme by non-speakers. For this reason, it is imperative that the actual lexemes of texts that will later be analyzed for syntax and discourse, and not just other lexemes from wordlists, first be analyzed for morphophonology. Otherwise, you may have a near perfect analysis of morphophonology and a near perfect analysis of syntax, but no way to view the two working together in natural discourse. It would be like building a bridge from opposite sides of a river at the same time, and discovering later that because the measurements were incorrect, the sides can never be joined in the middle. Further, in order to make the most of the texts used in the RGC workshop, they should afterwards be made into a story book for readers of the language. To insure that all words of this book are correctly spelled, as well as all the words of literacy books already in existence, they should be included in the phonological analysis of the workshop, that is, they need to be written on cards to be analyzed in the workshop.

3.2 Tools of an RGC workshop

There are four main tools used in the workshop: white boards or chalk boards, cards with lexemes, representative words, texts, and frames. We now discuss how each of these is most effectively used in an RGC workshop.

3.2.1 Boards

The white boards or chalk boards are vital to the workshop. They are used for vast amounts of data collection and analysis. Because there is much revision and correction of the data, flip charts cannot be used as a substitute. All data written on the board should be carefully planned ahead of time. You do this by organizing words on cards into certain groups that are later written on the board in the same order, or by writing carefully chosen words in frames from texts in a notebook to be later used on the board in eliciting sound changes. Write language data in black, glosses in blue, surface tone in green, and highlighted words such as column headings in red. When testing certain words that take some thought, participants will sometimes change their minds about certain words. Rather than erasing or putting a line through incorrect words and then having to rewrite them, you can put a red dot next to incorrect words and a blue dot next to correct words. Write small and quickly, but neatly. Especially for large paradigms, it is helpful to measure and plan each column so as to ensure enough space for a tidy and well-presented chart. As much as possible, arrive early each day and fill both boards 1 m by 1½ m with prepared data before the morning prayers begin. After checking and discussing the data of one board and allowing time for the participants to copy it into their notebooks, erase and fill the board again while participants are busy copying the data of the other board. Writing data on the boards before a session has many significant advantages: • It stimulates great interest and discussion, because some of the data will be incorrect and will need to be changed later. • It invariably encourages most participants to arrive early to begin copying down the data. Although you should always give adequate time for participants to copy the data after it has been corrected, participants often like to write data ahead of time and then only have to make corrections during the workshop sessions. • It models the value of diligence and good use of time, both of which are needed in order to investigate enough data in the course of two weeks. • It gives participants an idea of how much work to expect in a particular workshop session. They will nearly always rise to the challenge • It more clearly gives the idea of the workshop activity you have in mind and how you plan to lead them through it. You can explain all you like of how to make a verb paradigm, but it will be much simpler to write all the person forms yourself and then have participants revise the forms as needed. • It saves time during the workshop session itself, thereby making the activity more enjoyable for the participants. Even if you know a morpheme has irregular sound changes, you can still write the part of the word or words that are predictable ahead of time. Then during the workshop session, you can quickly write or have participants write the irregular changes of the morpheme. • During a workshop session, it makes absolutely clear which data is under discussion, thereby focusing the attention of the participants, and helping each to be more engaged in the work and discussions for spelling agreement. Although effective use of time in writing data is important, you must also be careful to spend enough time socializing with the participants during lunch and tea breaks so as to build a healthy rapport. Without a trusting relationship, the long days of hard work can more easily build tension between you and the participants that threatens the success of the workshop.

3.2.2 Cards